Crane Impact Causes Minor Damage to Jacksonville's Hart Bridge

Late Wednesday evening, the Hart Bridge in Jacksonville became the latest site of a maritime collision involving the city’s aging infrastructure. A tall crane, mounted atop a barge being maneuvered on the eastern side of the St. Johns River, struck the bridge’s superstructure between 7:15 and 7:30 p.m. The impact triggered an immediate shutdown of the four-lane green bridge, leaving commuters and city officials alike bracing for the kind of prolonged closure that has become an unfortunate hallmark of Jacksonville’s river crossings.

However, the aftermath proved far less severe than the initial alarm suggested. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the bridge—which has served as a vital link between downtown near EverBank Stadium and the city’s Southside since 1967—sustained only minor damage. State crews were able to reopen the 141-foot-tall steel girder bridge to traffic roughly four hours after the collision.

Assessing the Structural Integrity

The speed of the response was aided by proximity. A special crane, already positioned for inspection work, was able to reach the scene within 20 minutes to hoist inspectors up to the point of impact. Hampton Ray, a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Transportation, noted that the team conducted a thorough examination of the affected beam located under the center of the span.

The Hart Bridge is closed after a crane on a barge struck the span across the St. Johns River, a spokesman for the Florida Department of Transportation said. pic.twitter.com/bwSJIGhGlG

— https://x.com/ActionNewsJax/status/2118145737208840281

We spent a significant amount of time looking at the actual dent in the bridge. We used a lot of methods to make sure there were no cracks or fissures. Basically, it’s just cosmetic at this juncture.

While the physical damage appears limited, the incident underscores the vulnerability of Jacksonville’s river crossings to maritime traffic. The Hart Bridge, which has largely avoided such incidents since its construction, is now part of a growing list of bridges in the city that have faced impacts from vessels. Records indicate that while the Hart Bridge has been spared for decades, other spans have not been as fortunate.

A History of River Crossings Under Pressure

The city’s infrastructure has struggled with the reality of ship collisions in recent years, often resulting in significant economic and logistical disruptions. The Main Street Bridge, in particular, has faced repeated closures. In August 2025, a ship strike damaged multiple components, forcing the vertical lift roadway to remain stuck in the down position for several months while repairs were completed. That incident followed a similar event in November 2016, when a river cruise ship struck the same bridge, leading to an extended closure that snarled downtown traffic.

The stakes for these closures are high. When a major artery like the Hart or Mathews Bridge goes offline, it forces thousands of daily commuters to find alternative routes, creating bottlenecks in the city’s already strained transit network. In September 2013, the nearby Mathews Bridge suffered a $4 million blow when a U.S. Navy vessel under tow dislodged a beam, resulting in a full month of closure for the 146-foot-high cantilever structure.

The Path Forward for the Barge

Questions regarding the accountability of the vessel operator remain open. Hampton Ray stated that information about the crane or the owner of the barge was not available, though initial assessments suggest the company is not local to the Jacksonville area. Despite the collision, the U.S. Coast Guard permitted the barge to continue its voyage once the bridge inspection was cleared.

For now, the Hart Bridge remains open and functional, with FDOT officials satisfied that the cosmetic dent poses no threat to the structural integrity of the steel girders. Yet, the event serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between the city’s busy maritime commerce and the aging roadway network that connects its neighborhoods. As Jacksonville continues to grow, the recurring issue of bridge strikes suggests that these vital transit links remain a point of concern for city planners and local residents who rely on them daily.